Members Of Congress Highlight Taiwan Relations Act And Congressional Taiwan Caucus Anniversaries

In commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), U.S. Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Robert Andrews (D-NJ) inserted remarks into the Congressional Record underscoring the importance of the TRA to the longstanding strategic partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan.

In their “Extensions of Remarks”, the representatives reinforced the notion that both the 1979 TRA and the 1982 Six Assurances to Taiwan form “the cornerstone of our relationship with the people of Taiwan.”

Rep. Andrews added: “The PRC persists in claiming Taiwan as a ‘renegade province,’ refusing to renounce the use of force to prevent formal de jure independence. … The TRA affirmed that the United States’ decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means.”

Additionally, Rep. Berkley called attention to the 10th anniversary of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus (CTC). The caucus was founded on April 9, 2001 to act as “a forum to educate members of Congress on issues affecting U.S.-Taiwan Relations, and to provide a platform for exploring ways to positively enhance and strengthen U.S. relations and cooperation with the government and people of Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act.”

Berkley serves as co-chair of the CTC, which is currently the second largest Congressional country caucus in the House of Representatives.

FAPA President Mark Kao, PhD welcomes the congressional comments, saying: “The TRA and the Six Assurances together enabled Taiwan to develop into a vibrant democracy and making Taiwan a trusted ally for the U.S. in East Asia.”

Dr. Kao continues: “Nevertheless, compared to the vision set out by the original drafters of the TRA, there is significant room for improvement in the way that the law has been implemented by recent U.S. administrations, particularly in light of both Taiwan’s remarkable democratic transition, and the greatly increased military threat that it now faces from China.”

Dr. Kao concludes: “Taiwanese Americans are therefore eagerly anticipating the adoption by Congress of the Taiwan Policy Act in order to strengthen the provisions of the TRA.”

The Taiwan Policy Act, H.R. 2918, was passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee last November, and is expected to go for a floor vote in the House in the coming weeks.

眾議員強調台灣關係法及眾議院台灣連線重要性

為紀念台灣關係法通過33周年，內華達州民主黨眾議員柏克萊（Shelley Berkley, D-NV）及紐澤西州民主黨眾議員安德魯（Robert Andrews, D-NJ）在國會記錄發表了延伸發言，強調台灣關係法在美台長期策略夥伴關係中的重要性。

在「延伸發言」中，這兩位眾議員重申，1979年的台灣關係法及1982年的六項保證為與台灣人民關係的基石。

眾議員安德魯補充：「中華人民共和國堅持稱台灣為其『背離的一省』，並拒絕放棄以武力犯台，以避免真正台獨的到來。 ⋯⋯台灣關係法重申美國與中華人民共和國建交的決定，是基於期待台灣的未來將以和平方式決定。」

除此之外，眾議員柏克萊也請大家注目並紀念眾議院台灣連線（CTC）成立十周年。台灣連線於2001年4月9日成立，其「為符合台灣關係法，提供一個能正面影響並加強台美政府及人民之間關係與合作的平台。」

眾議員柏克萊是眾議院台灣連線的共同主席，而這個連線是眾議院目前第二大的國家連線。

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮歡迎眾議院的發言。他指出：「台灣關係法及六項保證促使台灣發展成為充滿活力的民主國家，並使其成為美國在東亞備受信賴的夥伴。」

他補充：「儘管如此，相較於台灣關係法原本起草者的遠見，最近幾任美國政府在執行該法的效能上，仍有很大的改進空間，尤其針對台灣已成功地轉型成民主國家及其面對來自中國急遽增加的武力威脅。」

他最後指出：「因此，台美人十分期待眾議院通過台灣政策法案，來強化台灣關係法的條例。台灣政策法案(H.R. 2918)，是在去年11月於外交委員會通過，並可能在未來幾周內進行全院表決。」

EXTENSION OF REMARKS COMMEMORATING THE 33rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Since the end of World War II, the United States and Taiwan have fostered a close relationship that has been of enormous strategic and economic benefit to both countries. When the United States shifted diplomatic relations from Taiwan to the People’s Republic of China in January 1979, Congress moved quickly to pass the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to ensure that the United States would continue its robust engagement with Taiwan in the areas of commerce, culture, and security cooperation.  With President Carter’s signature on April 10, 1979, this important and lasting piece of legislation became the Law of the Land and served as the statutory basis for U.S.-Taiwan relations going forward.

After 33 years, the TRA still stands as a model of congressional leadership in the history of our foreign relation, and, together with the 1982 “”Six Assurances,”” it remains the cornerstone of a very mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan.  Through three decades marked by momentous social, economic, and political transformations, Taiwan has remained a trusted ally of the United States that now shares with us the ideals of freedom, democracy and self-determination.

The foresight of the TRA’s drafters in providing that “the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services…to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability,”” and affirming “”the preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan”” as explicit objectives of the United States, has contributed in large measure to make Taiwan what it is today—a vibrant, open society governed by democratic institutions.

Though the people of Taiwan now enjoy fundamental human rights and civil liberties, they continue to live day after day under the ominous shadow cast by over 1400 short and medium-range ballistic missiles that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has aimed at them.  The PRC persists in claiming Taiwan as a ‘renegade province,’ refusing to renounce the use of force to prevent formal de jure independence, even codifying its right to military action via passage of the so-called “”Anti-Secession Law”” on March 14, 2005.  The United States Congress strongly condemned the “”Anti-Secession Law”” in House Concurrent Resolution 98, passed on March 16, 2005.

The TRA affirmed that the United States’ decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined by peaceful means.  Furthermore, it stipulates that it is the policy of the United States “”to consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means…a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States.””  The unambiguous and principled stance contained in these provisions has been instrumental to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait for more than thirty years, in spite of the growing military threat posed by the PRC.

I therefore invite my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the TRA, to further underline our unwavering commitment to the TRA and our support for the strong and deepening relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

EXTENSION OF REMARKS COMMEMORATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONGRESSIONAL TAIWAN CAUCUS

Mrs. BERKLEY: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.

Founded on April 9, 2001, the caucus was intended to serve as a forum to educate members of Congress on issues affecting U.S.-Taiwan Relations, and to provide a platform for exploring ways to positively enhance and strengthen U.S. relations and cooperation with the government and people of Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act.  It has grown from 85 members at the time of its establishment to the current roster of 155, making it the second largest country caucus in the House of Representatives.

In the past 10 years, its membership has remained solidly bipartisan, reflecting the broad and stable consensus in the U.S. Congress regarding the importance of Taiwan.  Through the issuance of various joint letters, its agenda has focused first and foremost on maintaining faithful adherence to legal obligations and policy principles of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, as well as the 1982 “”Six Assurances”” to Taiwan.  Together, these two documents form the cornerstone of our relationship with the people of Taiwan and have contributed immeasurably to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region, while allowing Taiwan to blossom into a vibrant, open society, eager to engage with the rest of the world.

Today, Taiwan is well on the path to becoming a mature and fully consolidated democracy, and our shared values now form an ever stronger foundation of trust for cooperation across our many areas of mutual interest.  At the same time, the military threat posed by the People’s Republic of China to Taiwan’s democratic way of life only continues to grow with each passing day.

In the coming 10 years, we hope to forge a stronger consultative role for Congress in the formulation of Taiwan policy.  We look forward to working closely with our allies – both abroad and at home – to find solutions for ensuring Taiwan’s long-term security, and to deepen our dialogue with the people of Taiwan.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Colombian Taiwan Caucus Reaches Out to US Congressional Taiwan Caucus

On July 29, 2004, Senator Jairo Clopatofsky Ghisays of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia wrote to the United States Congressional Taiwan Caucus (CTC) and the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) to request assistance and support for their own Taiwan Caucus, La Sociedad Colombiana Parlamentaria de Amigos de ROC Taiwan (SOCOPARLAM), on how to best enhance Colombia-Taiwan relationship.

According to this letter addressed to FAPA, SOCOPARLAM, established in May 2003, has recently sponsored a bill to “improve the current status of the Government officials of the ROC Taiwan in Colombia and to facilitate the mechanisms for commercial and trade exchange and the cooperation programs.” It was signed by eighteen Colombian Members of Congress, both in the Senate and the House.

SOCOPARLAM appears very much in line with the U.S. Congressional efforts in supporting Taiwan. For example, SOCOPARLAM believes in Taiwan’s participations in the World Health Organization. The caucus writes, “we have permanently supported ROC Taiwan in the political topics, like holding up the WHO-World Health Organization; or like in the different aspects or topics that are attached to the UN- United Nations Organization, toward the topic of ROC Taiwan.” Taiwan’s security is also in SOCOPARLAM’s top agenda, “particularly our position against the attack and fight of the Chinese communists over the Taiwanese people,” the letter states.

Ming-Chi Wu, Ph.D. President of FAPA, states that “SOCOPARLAM might prove to be another effective instrument to boost the visibility of Taiwan and its international status. We are excited that SOCOPARLAM seeks to be more active in supporting Taiwan by reaching out to similar organizations.”

Wu continues, “The relationship between SOCOPARLAM and the CTC will provide a fine communication channel that will allow the aspirations of the Taiwanese people to have an even clearer, louder voice not just in the United States or Colombia, but around the world. Establishment of like-minded Taiwan caucuses in other countries would increase international support for Taiwan. Planting such seeds in Parliaments around the globe will prove to be useful and effective.”

哥、美兩國國會台灣連線搭起跨國橋樑

哥倫比亞國會參議員，同時也是哥國國會台灣連線的主席Jairo Clopatofsky Ghisays，於2004年7月29日致函美國國會台灣連線（Congressional Taiwan Caucus）以及「台灣人公共事務會」（FAPA）尋求其對於哥國國會「台灣連線」（SOCOPARLAM）之協助與支持，並期望能夠進一步提升台哥兩國的外交關係。

參議員Jairo Clopatofsky Ghisays在此封給予FAPA的來函中提及，SOCOPARLAM乃成立於2003年5月。該連線近來在哥國國會裡引進一個支持台灣的相關法案，旨在「提升台灣政府官員在哥國的地位，以及促進台哥兩國商業合作與貿易交流。」據瞭解，此法案是由18位哥國國會成員聯合支持，其中包括9位參議員以及9位眾議員。

正如同美國國會台灣連線一般，哥國國會台灣連線長期以來在其國會中亦不遺餘力的表達對台灣的支持。舉例而言，該連線對於台灣爭取加入世界衛生組織一事深表贊同。參議員Jairo Clopatofsky Ghisays的信函中明確指出：「我們永遠會在相關的政治議題上支持台灣，不論是支持台灣加入世界衛生組織，或是其他在聯合國中所涵蓋、討論到的台灣議題。」此外，台灣安全也是哥國國會台灣連線成員關注的議題之一。信中提到，「我們尤其反對中國共產黨對台灣人民的武力攻擊與威嚇。」

台灣人公共事務會會長吳明基表示：「哥國國會台灣連線可望成為另一個有效提升台灣國際地位及能見度的管道。我們欣見該連線積極地與其他類似組織（美國國會台灣連線）串連，以表達其對台灣的支持。」

吳明基接著表示：「哥國與美國國會台灣連線的合作關係將提供另一個管道，裨於全世界更加了解台灣人民爭取在國際社會發聲的渴望。在此同時，我們也支持其他國家成立類似的連線團體。在各國國會播下如哥、美兩國『台灣連線』的種子，將是有效提升國際社會支持台灣的最佳途徑之一。」

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Joseph Lieberman Joins Senate Taiwan Caucus

On January 21, Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Joseph Lieberman joined the Senate Taiwan Caucus, thus becoming the 19th Senator on the Caucus. The Senator stated to FAPA that he would “of course join the Taiwan Caucus, because that is where my heart lies.”

The Caucus now boasts the membership of the following 19 Senators: Senators George Allen (R-VA – Co-chair), Tim Johnson (D-SD – Co-chair), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Kit Bond (R-MO), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), James Inhofe (R-OK), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Tom Daschle (D-SD), Trent Lott (R-MS), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Max Baucus (D-MT), Zell Miller (D-GA), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT).

FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. states: “Joe Lieberman is a long time friend of Taiwan. He pioneered the introduction of Senate legislation in 1992 in support of UN membership for Taiwan. So his support for Taiwan comes as no surprise. It comes as a pleasant surprise though that he now joins the Taiwan Caucus being a presidential candidate. That he joined the Caucus adds tremendous clout to this already prestigious Senate Taiwan Caucus.”

Wu concludes: “Within the past three weeks Lieberman spoke out strongly in support of a Taiwan referendum while campaigning in Iowa, and he has now joined the Taiwan Caucus. We expect the Senator to continue going the extra mile for Taiwan.”

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Common

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The Dialogue of Democracies: Today and Next January

The Congressional Taiwan Caucus (CTC) and a thirty-five Member strong Taiwan Legislative Yuan (LY) delegation meeting of July 23^rd mark a distinctive “dialogue of democracies” meant to further understanding between the oldest democracy and one of the newest members of the democracy club.

The LY delegation, the largest ever to visit the United States, came to Washington to thank the CTC members for their strong support, to discuss matters of mutual interest, and to publicly announce a January 2003 International Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Asian Pacific Security, to be held in Taipei.

The CTC expressed its thanks for the Taiwanese delegation’s invitation to the conference and will actively participate in this event.

The CTC, established on April 9^th, now has 112 members.  It is one of the largest and fastest growing caucuses in the United States Congress.  Today’s luncheon is the first such big gathering for the caucus members, among those participating are Rep. Ben Gilman (R-NY), the ex-chairman of the House International Relations Committee, and the Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman, Rep. Eddie Burnice Johnson (D-TX).

“At this important juncture in history, today’s meeting has helped strengthen the bonds between the US and Taiwan,” stated Dr. Wu Ming-chi, FAPA President. “Strong bonds between democracies are clearly the backbone of a serious anti-terrorism campaign.  The Taipei conference will extend this mutually supportive network throughout the Pacific region.  The interests of the U.S., Taiwan and all the democracies in the Pacific are well served by today’s meeting and will be served by the January conference.

“The conference next January aims to create dialogue among the countries involved,” Wu continued, “enhance understanding and communications, and thus diminish conflicts in the region.  Moreover, FAPA believes that next January’s conference will give Taiwan an excellent opportunity to fulfill its proactive diplomatic strategy in the face of the PRC’s diplomatic blockade and will ultimately show the world Taiwan’s willingness and sincerity in maintaining the stability and security of the Asia-Pacific region.”

“台美國會首度最大規模對話，並允諾明年一月台北見！”

美國國會台灣連線(Congressional Taiwan Caucus)在今日(23日)舉行自4月9日正式成立以來最大規模的活動。為了感謝台灣連線對台灣的支持，台灣立法院特地組團，由蔡同榮委員率領三十多位立法委員們到華府親自拜訪台灣連線，展開這個歷史上首次台美國會對等實體的交流對話。

目前已有112位議員參加的台灣連線，人數已逾眾議院的四分之一，堪稱是美國國會裡數一數二大的連線團體。深暗美國國會運作的人士便知道，台灣連線不僅人數眾多，每個月不定期都有不同的議題，以喚起社會大眾以及決策當局對於一些仍然不合理的美國對台政策的認識與支持。這個有史以來最大規模的台灣立院訪問團，也將利用今日二十三日的國會午宴，親自與台灣連線的多位成員面對面，除了表達他們的感謝之意，兩者也將就各項台美議題交換意見。最重要的是，台灣立院將利用此行來尋求台灣連線的支持。目前台灣立院正在積極籌劃，預計邀請亞太地區各國國會議員，在明年一月於台北召開亞太區域安全研討會。台灣連線已允諾來訪的台灣立委們對於這個會議的大力支持，並將積極主動地參與；他們也表示很榮幸地能獲得台灣立院的邀請，參加這個歷史性的會議。

 在參加國會午宴的數十位眾議員中，包括了即將退休的重量級議員，也是前國際關係委員會主席吉爾曼(Ben Gilman, R-NY)，台灣連線主席們認為在國會如此繁忙的行程中，今日能仍有這麼高的出席率，他們都感到相當地高興。

 大力推動台灣連線成立的台灣人公共事務會(FAPA)表示，台灣與美國因同為民主國家而使得兩國的情誼比過去更加地深厚，而誠如台美兩國這種民主國家之間的情誼與聯盟，正是美國目前全球反恐戰爭的基礎骨幹。FAPA會長吳明基表示，今日的會面是美國台灣連線與台灣立院的台美國會聯誼會，兩個對等的實體，首次舉辦如此大規模的交流與對話；不過，更令我們期待的是明年一月份在台北舉行的區域論壇，屆時將有來自各國的民意代表，就亞太區域安全進行多方對話。這不僅是一個首創之舉，更是一個值得鼓勵的舉動。因為，維持亞太區域的安全與穩定是台灣，美國，以及鄰近各國的利益，而這樣的會議旨在創造彼此的對話，增加各國之間的溝通機會，以促進相互之間的瞭解，進而減少誤解及衝突。更重要的是，FAPA相信，這樣的舉動，是台灣主動外交出擊的最佳機會，讓國際社會瞭解台灣對於維持亞太安全與穩定的誠意與善意！

Photo Credit: Wally Gobetz (Flickr)

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